GORDON – HOUSTON COUNTY AL: 1:31 PM Houston County 911 dispatched Gordon Police, Gordon Volunteer Fire, Pansey Volunteer Fire Department, Ashford Rescue, and ALEA – Troopers to a motor vehicle accident with injuries. The accident location is at 3941 North County Road 95.
A one vehicle accident, overturned, with ejection.
On arrival of emergency units they found one patient with a broken femur and other injuries. A second passenger, reported to have been a 13-year-old fled into the woods. The emergency units believe the 13-year-old has extensive injuries.
A drone has been deployed. No K-9 track dogs are in service. It has been recommended to request Jackson County Sheriff K-9 which has a beagle K-9 unit which is excellent in tracking. Dothan Police WASP (Wiregrass Aviation Support Unit) has been requested for air surveillance to attempt to locate the injured.
ALEA – Troopers are in charge of the accident investigation. Dothan Police Department DRONE TEAM is on the scene.
UPDATED @ 5:20 PM
Jackson County Sheriff K-9 Beagle track unit is responding to the scene to begin a ground track for the person who fled and possibly injured.
UPDATED @ 8:35 PM
A little before 6:22 PM a 14-year-old was located on Highway 95 near Ed Tolar Road. The scared young 14 year old told authorities after being ejected and he woke up that he was scared and went into the woods. He later heard the WASP (Wiregrass Aviation Support Program) helicopter and the Jackson County Sheriff K-9 Track Beagles and proceeded out of the woods.
Ashford Rescue was called to the scene and checked the patient out. He was transported by Ashford Rescue to a Dothan hospital.
Jackson County Florida Sheriff Donnie Edenfield himself responded to assist the Jackson County Sheriff K-9 Track Team, Jackson County Sheriff Patrol Shift Supervisor Lt. Eddie Ingram was on the scene, several other ranking Jackson County Sheriff Deputies and K-9 Officers, Columbia Police Chief, Gordon Police Chief and Officer were on the scene. ALEA – Trooper Mosley was the primary investigating Trooper and ALEA Post Commander Sgt. Jason McAllister were on the scene.
There were no Houston County Sheriff Deputies on the scene at all. There was one who responded after the wreck was dispatched but left and no Houston County Sheriff Deputy ever returned. All other officers were concerned because reports were the person who left was injured and appeared young. And he was, 14 years of age.
ALEA – Troopers contacted Houston County Sheriff Deputies after the 1:31 PM accident when they learned one patient, a juvenile fled. The apparent driver had an apparent broken femur and reports his leg was wrapped behind him. When Houston County was contacted there was one who fled and requested a drone law enforcement on the scene was advised there was no one available for a drone team. Later Houston County was notified about air support and the Houston County Sheriff Department is reported to have said you have one person and a helicopter was not needed. Then Houston County Sheriff Department was contacted and a K-9 track team was requested and was advised there was not a K-9 track team available.
When ALEA Troopers went through the protocol for a track team and was notified none were available, ALEA – Troopers requested Jackson County Florida Sheriff Department K-9 Track Team of beagles. They were dispatched at once and even Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield responded.
A successful mission in locating the 14 year old scared young man who was injured. He was transported by Ashford Rescue a Dothan hospital.
THANKS to ALEA Troopers, Gordon Police, Columbia Police, Jackson County Sheriff Department, Gordon Volunteer Fire Department, Pansey Volunteer Fire Department for their devoted work in locating this 14 year old child who was injured in the accident. Thanks to Dothan Police Chief Will Benny for dispatching the drones and WASP.
SHERIFF: 18 years of age, a resident of State of Alabama for 1 day, a U.S. Citizen for 1 year, a registered voter for 1 day in the State of Alabama, a four year term, and no limit to the amount of terms. No education requirements before elected or during the term of office.
So at age, 18 a person could command a 200-person department and be in command of the county jail. Yet, at age 18, the Sheriff could not purchase cigarettes, could not purchase or possess alcohol or if he did could get arrested for minor in possession of alcohol, and can not purchase a firearm.
CORONER: 25 years of age, a resident of State of Alabama for 1 day, a U.S, Citizen for 1 day, a registered voter for 1 day in the State of Alabama, a four year term and no limit of terms. Coroner is required to have 12 hours each year of continuing education at the Coroner’s expense and the county not required to pay for the continuing education.
BARBOUR COUNTY SHERIFF TYRONE SMITH
In his second term as Barbour County Sheriff, Tyrone Smith has proposed legislation to increase the qualifications for candidates wishing to seek the Office of Sheriff in Barbour County. A few highlights of the proposed legislation are: (1) 5 years of law enforcement (2) minimum age 25 (3) an Associate’s degree.
The legislation hit snags last legislative year. Sheriff Smith met with Senator Billy Beasley and Representative Ford. The issues were discussed and some compromises were reached.
The Sheriff is not an employee of the County Commission. There is no requirement for the Sheriff to have permission of the County Commission for legislation he proposes.
This legislation, as Sheriff Smith explains, does not hurt or help him, but he feels the Office of Sheriff has enormous responsibility and he feels there needs to be some standards set.
Sheriff Tyrone Smith expressed to the registered voters his frustration that members of the Barbour County Commission called a special meeting to oppose the legislation. Their opposition is over the 5 years of law enforcement experience. And some commissioners have alleged to have told some untruths about the position of the Barbour County Coroner and the District Attorney for Barbour and Bullock County.
Below you can see Sheriff Tyrone Smith and the special called meeting of the Barbour County Commission.
The Barbour County Commission called a special meeting to oppose legislation proposed by Barbour County Sheriff Tyrone Smith.
DOTHAN: 6:28 PM. Dothan 911 dispatched a structure fire at 805 North Cherry Street. At time of dispatch Dothan 911 reported fire at stove, smoke and flames visible.
6:32 PM. Dothan Fire Engine 1 ( Central ) followed by Truck 1 ( Central ) and Engine 5 ( Eastside ). Dothan Fire Engine 1 reported smoke and flames visible, a working structure fire, they will be interior attack and second engine in to catch a fire hydrant.
6:34 PM. Dothan Fire Engine 1 reported water on fire, fire knock down. Power is cut. Dothan Fire Engine 9 ( Technology Drive ) on the scene.
6:38 PM. Dothan Fire Engine 1 reported fire under control, ventilation under control, no extensions. Dothan Fire Engine 1 reported units can start to be returned to service.
Dothan Fire Battalion Chief 1 has been on the scene.
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IN A UNRELATED ARTICLE … 6:09 PM. Dothan Fire 911 dispatched a structure fire in the 2400 block of Bethlehem Road. Multiple Dothan Fire Engines rolled, Engine 8 ( Highlands ), Engine 3 ( Whatley Drive ) and another engine. On arrival, nothing visible, electrical smell inside. No fire at residence. Dothan Fire Battalion 2 on the scene and Pilcher Ambulance.
THE VIDEO AND FLAMES PICTURES WAS AFTER 911 WAS CALLED AND BEFORE DOTHAN FIRE ENGINE 8 ( HIGHLANDS ) ARRIVED. THIS IS WHAT THE FIRST FIRE ENGINE COMPANY SAW ON ARRIVAL. DOTHAN FIRE DEPARTMENT ENGINE COMPANIES MADE AN AGGRESSIVE INTERIOR ATTACK. BY 7:13 PM DOTHAN FIRE REPORTED STRUCTURE FIRE “UNDER CONTROL.”
DOTHAN: 6:44 PM Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire, Pilcher Ambulance and Dothan Police to a structure fire on Falkirk Drive.
On the arrival of Dothan Fire Engine 8 ( Highlands ) they reported fully involved, making an offensive interior attack. The Engine 8 crew reported for the next incoming engine to grab a fire hydrant.
Dothan Fire Engine 3 ( Whatley Drive ), Engine 10 ( West Main Street ) were next engines in.
Dothan Fire Battalion Chief 2 ( Westside ), Dothan Fire Rehab truck are responding and on the scene.
Dothan Fire is battling the blaze. Wiregrass Electric is responding to the scene.
KNOXVILLE TN: On Monday evening Mrs. Jean Williams passed from this life into the Gates of Heaven. She resided in Knoxville, Tennessee near one of her daughters.
Mrs. Jean Williams came to Dothan from Mobile Alabama in 1974 when her husband, Kater Williams, was named Police Chief of Dothan Alabama.
While her husband was leading Dothan Police Department as Police Chief, Mrs. Williams was a mother raising their children and was a realtor in Dothan. On retirement of Chief Williams they lived a brief time in Montgomery where Chief Williams worked with the State of Alabama. They then lived at Panama City Beach Florida before retiring back to Dothan.
When Chief Williams passed away Mrs. Williams moved to Knoxville Tennessee near one of her daughters. She was age 91 at the time of her death.
The daughters of Jean and Kater Williams will be submitting an obituary in the immediate future. At a point in the future a memorial service will be announced.
GENEVA COUNTY: Today was a regularly scheduled Geneva County Commission Meeting. On the agenda was appointment to the Geneva County 911 Board.
District One Geneva County Commissioner Weston Spivey had an appointment to the Geneva County 911 Board. Spivey has appointed Slocomb Councilman Don White to two terms on the Geneva County 911 Board. White is a former Police Chief for Slocomb and brought to the board law enforcement experience. Spivey praised Don White for his dedicated service and knowledge to the board.
The Geneva County 911 system dispatches for all law enforcement in Geneva County with the exception of Hartford Police. They dispatch for all fire and EMS throughout Geneva County, to include Hartford Fire – Rescue. The Geneva County 911 has certified dispatchers who are trained to give life saving instructions to those calling 911 while awaiting arrival of EMS.
All 911 calls are answered by Geneva County 911 for the entire 579 square miles of Geneva County. When someone calls 911 it is about a law enforcement issue, fire issue and EMS issue. The emergency responders are law enforcement, fire and EMS, along with utility companies.
The majority of the Geneva County 911 Board Members are current or retired law enforcement officers. All do a great job. D1 Geneva County Commissioner has felt for some time there needed to be some diversity on the 911 Board. The EMS and Fire had little to no representation on the board. So today, D1 Commissioner Weston Spivey, appointed Brandon Hovey, Operations Chief for Slocomb Fire – Rescue to represent District 1 – Geneva County on the 911 board.
Slocomb Fire – EMS Operations Chief Brandon Hovey brings decades of experience in the EMS and Fire service to the board. Serving with Slocomb Fire – Rescue, Fadette Volunteer Fire, and full time with Ft. Novosel Fire Department. Operations Chief Brandon Hovey’s dad, Kyle Hovey retired from Dothan Fire Department as a Captain and now serves as Slocomb Fire – EMS Chief. Brandon Hovey is very much involved in service to the eastside of Geneva County, District 1, in working to save lives and property.
Spivey said the Geneva County 911 Board has served the citizens of Geneva County with good representation. Spivey said in making the board more diversified with responders from others walks of life, other than primarily law enforcement, will help bring more enhanced services to save lives of the citizens and guests of Geneva County in emergencies.
Jeremy Williams is the Director of Geneva County 911. Williams and his staff do a good job in the daily operations of 911 service in Geneva County.
The Geneva County 911 Board Members serve free and volunteer their time to make the emergency system better. All 911 dispatchers are employees of the Geneva County 911 under the management of Director Jeremy Williams.
UPDATED @ 7:28 PM
Geneva County 911 now dispatches for Hartford Police Department. So all law enforcement, fire and EMS are dispatched by Geneva County 911.
Slocomb Operations Chief Brandon Hovey has 12 years in fire and EMS. But a lifetime of exposure to the fire and EMS. As stated above, his dad Kyle, a retired Captain with Dothan Fire Department. His mother, Emily in the nursing field. And his grandmother, Mrs. Bristow of Columbia, 31 years of volunteer paramedic with Columbia Fire – EMS. And Mrs. Bristow was the first female firefighter/paramedic with Dothan Fire Department. So he was birthed into the fire – EMS field.
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